Thinking of getting an AR-15...

[Creeker]

Anybody with any first hand knowledge about the new Ruger 556?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I'm not discounting the shotgun's effectiveness by any means, it's just that fact that I better hit the target within like 6 shots lol.

Damn right you better!!! Our rules of engagement don't allow for misses as we are supremely responsible for each round we let loose. Technically the bad guys are too, but they're simply not held to the same standard as we are.

However, you can buy a sidesaddle mount and add up to 6 more rounds in easy reach. Or getcha one of those Pancho Villa bandoleers.

[Buffboy]

There are a lot of good ARs out there. Most are built well and vary a LOT with regard to price. IMO, most are over priced for what you get.

The other option is to build the rifle. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to assemble, but you can. You can also buy in about any stage assembly you want. Your dealer can order in a Rock River CAR assembled lower for less than $300(yes, he'll make money on that price) and you put whatever top you want on it.

My current patrol rifle is a Rock River CAR lower with a custom built, flat top upper, mid-length gas system, and 16" H-bar 1/7" chrome lined barrel. It groups less than 1 1/2" at 100 yards with everything I've put through it so far and less than an inch with tailored hand loads. I've got less than $800(including shipping on the upper and the flip up rear sight) in the whole rifle. I bought right before the craze but prices are back down, for the most part now. I didn't have to do any assembly besides putting the upper on the lower and mounting the sight.

Educate yourself about the rifle, there are no real mysteries about it. They aren't hard to work on. You could shave another $100 off my price if you wanted to start with a stripped lower and do the assembly on it via a kit. Peel another $75 off for a chrome moly barrel in 1/9" instead of chrome lined 1/7". Switchback is right about chrome lined though, they clean easier. They last a lot longer as well.

Leave the upper assembly for someone skilled. It's not hard either, but it requires some special tools to do right and it's not cost effective to buy those for just one. You can usually buy uppers assembled for less than you can buy the parts with some shopping around. The only part you need an FFL for is the receiver.

AR15 Parts, M16 Parts, Assault Rifles, Tactical Gear M&A Parts, Inc. is where I bought my upper. Good product and folks. They sell "standard" kits as well build/kit to your specification. They sell everything but the receiver and their prices are pretty good. There are literally a dozen of other companies that offer the same kind of service but I haven't worked with them.


oops: Switchback is the one that made the remark about cleaning, not Sgt. Slaughter, I fixed it, sorry Switch.